Gas lighting and extinguishing mechanism.



T. P. SHILSTON.

GAS LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-27' 1914, I

Patented Apr.

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THOMASPERCIVAL SI-IILSTON, or 111 031 ENGLAND.

GAS LIGHTING AND Specification of Letters Patent.

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Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

Application filed. January 27, 1914. Serial No. 814,646.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, THOMAS PERCIVAL SmLsToN, a subject of the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Tie land, residing at 46 Cameron road, Ilford, in the county of Essex, England, bachelor of science, have invented new and useful Improvements in Distance Gas Lighting and Extinguishing Mechanism,'of which the fol-' lowing is a specification. 1 s

The present invention relates to improvements in valves and valve actuating mechanism and more particularly to apparatus of the type employed for controlling the ignition and extinguishing of gas from a distant point. I The objects of the invention are to reduce the number of controlling circuits to reduce the cost of manufacture and by reason of the simplification to increase the reliability and efliciency of the apparatus.

The present invention consists in the employment in apparatus for igniting and extinguishing gas of the type comprising main and auxiliary supply valves of'an electromagnet havlng a freely movable'armature 1n combmation a freely movable non-magnetic bar actuated by the armature to open both valves when the magnet is energized said non-magnetic bar mechanically holding the main and auxiliary valves open alternately each time the armature is deenergized.

Further features of this invention will transpire in the following description.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a vertical sectionthrough the apparatus, Fig. 2 is a section on the line A B of Fig. 1,.Fig'. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1, and Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged details of the igniting mechanism.

Referring to the drawings 1 indicates a body blank having a main gas inlet 2 communicating by means of a duct 3 with a gas chamber 4 within the valve body. A lift valve 5 is located in theduct 3 and will be hereinafter termed the inlet valve.

The main outlet is indicated at 6 and establishes communication between the gas chamber 4 and a gas burner attached to the nipple 7. The gas chamber 4 also communicates with a duct 8 leading to a pair of tubes 9 which-supply gas to the igniter-IO.

The duct 8 forms what will be termed the auxiliary outlet and is also fitted with a valve 11 hereinafter referred to. The opening in the end of the chamber4, at the lefthand side of Fig. 1 isclosed by a sheet metal cap 50'spun in to make a gas-tight joint.

The valve body 1 is perforated to accommodate the pole pieces 12 and 13 of two electromagnets 14 and 15. The pole pieces of these magnets are inserted into the perforations from both sides of the valve body as clearly shown in Fig. 2. 'The magnets are inserted in such a manner that the pole pieces entering each perforation from opposite sides thereof are of the same polarity. The body blank 1 is of non-magnetic material and when both magnets are energized the: path for the, flux is mainly through the air and the armature 16 located within the p v 7 gas chamber 4. I

The end walls of the gas chamber are inclined as shown in Fig. 1 so that the chamher is longer at the top than at the bottom. The armature 16 within the chamber is free to move and when the magnets are energized is lifted so as to cling to the roof of the chamber. This armature when energized and attracted to the roof of the chamber lifts the rolling body 22 and the rocker 21 referredv to below'which rests upon it also the auxiliary valve '11. Assuming the rolling body 22 to be situated at the main'inlet end of the chamber the end .of the rocker adj acent to this will be raised and the main' valve opened thereby allowing the gas to" pass from the main inlet into the gas chamher and thence through the main outlet in the burner and also through the auxiliary outlet to the igniter. As shown in Fig. 1 the main and'auxiliary valves are preferably of the conical or needle type and are provided with means such as the members 19 and 20 to guide them vertically in the openings in the valve body.

When the armature has been attracted and opens both valves it would in the ordinary way when the magnets are denergized fall to the bottom of the chamber and allow both valves to close. When the gas is to be ignited it is necessary that the gas in the gas chamber should pass permanently to the burner but only transitorily to the igniter which means that when the armature falls the main valve should be retained in the open position and the auxiliary valve closed.

Similarly when it is desired to switch off the gas main valve should be allowed to close when the armature has been attracted.

The operations of opening both valves when the magnet is energized and retaining one valve alone in the open position alternately each time the magnet is deenergized or alternatively opening and closing alternately the main valve only is accomplished in the following manner: The armature 16 is constructed in the form of a cage of suitable cross section. In the present case the armature consists of a piece of sheet metal bent into the form of a channel. Within the armature a strip of non-magnetic material 21 already referred to as the rocker is located. This rocker is slightly shorter than the maximum length of the gas chamber at its upper extremity but owing to the in clined walls of the gas chamber the rocker is longer than the bottom of the gas chamher. The dimensions of the rocker are such therefore that it can take up a position approaching in direction either diagonal of the chamber the section of which will be seen on reference to Fig. 1 to be that of a trapezium. Assuming the rocker to be held flat against the roof of the gas chamber then whichever end is allowed to fall first will fall some distance down the gas chamber and the rocker will remain in an inclined position by reason of the'fact that its two ends are locked against the walls and cannot move farther downwardly. The cage armature 16 also contains underneath the rocker 21 a rolling or freely moving body 22 in the form of a small ball. The cage armature is so formed that the ball cannot escape and must always roll back and forth within the armature when it is moved. Assuming that the armature containing the ball and the rocker passing therethrough is inserted in the gas chamber and that it is in the inclined or diagonal position shownin Fig. 1. The arrangement is such that the upper end of the rocker will engage with the stem of the main valve 5 and retain it in th lifted position. In this position the auxiliary valve is allowed to close by reason of the position of the armature and its rocker. The mechanism is now in that condition which will allow gas entering the main inlet 2 to pass through the valve 5 into the chamher I and thence to the burner through the outlet 6. VVhen it is desired to switch the gas off the magnets 14 and 15 are energized by actuating a switch at some adjacent or distant point and the armature l6'is then drawn up to the roof of the gas chamber. In this position the rolling body 22 will have raised the end of the rocker remote from the main inlet allowing the end adjacentthe main inlet to fall and thus allowing the main valve which rests upon it to close, and the auxiliary valve will be open. N ow when the armature is deenergized it falls and the rocker assumes the position oppositely inclined to that shown in Fig. 1. The ball then rolls down the-cage armature 16 to the other end of its travel. In this position the rocker holds the auxiliary valve 11 open and allows the main valve to close thereby cutting off the supply of gas to the burner and also to the auxiliary outlet. The next time the magnet is energized the ar mature is drawn up and the rocker falls in the position first mentioned above whereby the main valve and the auxiliary valve are both opened and the auxiliary valve. subsequently allowed to close when the magnet is deenergized. The duct 8 in the valve body communicating with the auxiliary outlet is provided with an insulating bush 23 pierced so that the interior of the bush communicates with the auxiliary outlet of the, gas chamber. This bush preferably finishes flush with the surface of the. valve body on each side and nipples or sockets 24: and 25 are screwed into each end of the bush. Insulating and metallic washers are employed at each end so as to insulate the nipples or sockets from the valve body. The pair of tubes 9 consist of small insulated gas tubes which are sprung into the nipples or sockets and extend to a convenient point near the burner at which point the igniter is located. The tubes areretained in position by a bead of insulating refractory material which slides freely on them and when moved into the position shown secures the tubes against springing out of the sockets.

The construction of the igniter is as fol lows: The insulated gas tubes 9 pass through and are secured to a block of refractory material 26. A small metallic filament 27 is suitably mounted in the extremities of the tubes 9 and forms a conductive connection therebetween. l-Vithinthe block the tubes 9 are bent at right angles and the block'is hollowed out to form a gas chamber 28. The gas is admitted to this chamber through holes 29 in the tubes 9 and the chamber is made gas tight by the cover 30. A pinhole outlet 31 allows a fine stream of gas to flow out past the igniting filament 27. The tubes 9 being electrically conductive and insulated from each other form part of a circuit arranged 111, series or 11'! parallel with the in magnets 14; and 15' and controlled from a suitable point by means of a switch. The conductors for connecting the magnets and tubes in circuit are shown in Fig. 3 at 32, 83, 34 and 35.

The whole of the apparatus above described may conveniently be inclosed within a refractory cover or casing 36.

It is necessary to provide means for actuating the mechanism manually in case of emergency and to this end the nipple 7 is ball 39 mounted upon a rod 40. Thisrod passes through the boss 37 and is provided with a knob 41. On reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the boss 37 has an inclined surface. A sliding collar 42 is mounted on the rod 40 and is urged into contact with the inclined surface referred to by a spring 43. This spring operatesto force the collar 42 into contact with the'inclined surface and also the ball 39 into contact with a valve seating within the recess 38 the whole forming a gastight joint. That extremity of the rod 40 which is within the nipple engages a bar or strip of material 44 which in the normal position as shown in Fig.1 terminates just below the cage armature 16. When the knob 41 is pulled down as for instance by means of a chain or cord that end of the rod within the nipple 7 is moved upwardly-and carries with it the strip or bar 44 whichengages the armature 16 and moves it into that position which it would assume if the magnets were energized. .Upon releasing the pull on the rod 40 it will resume the position shown in Fig. 1 and the armature will then fall into the inversely inclined position and the valves will be actuated accordingly. The opening 51' opposite the v recess 38 permits the assembling in place of the ball 39 and the rod 40. Afterthey are inserted the opening is closed'by a sheet metal cap 51 spun in to make a gas.- tight joint. This emergency device would beused in the event of the source of electrical ener y failing or'in the event of derangement of the circuits connecting'the apparatus with said source of energy.

The device above described may be employed in connection with incandescent gas burners of the inverted or the upright type; in each case the necessary modifications must be made.

It is an importantfeature of this invention that, the valve body with the various ducts and openings may be die-cast as a unitary whole thereby considerably reducing the cost of production.

It is not deemed necessary to'describe the various forms of construction which this invention may take.

What I claim is 1. Ina gas valve, a port, a valve controlling said port, and means for operating said valve includin a chamber having downwardly inclined end walls, a tilting armature therein, a non-magnetic rocker having a length greater than the minimum distance between said end Walls but less than the maximum distance between them, said rocker engaging said armature, a freely moving member mounted between said rocker and armature and beneath the former, and an. electro-magnet above said armature.

2. In a gas valve, a port, a valve con-' trolling the same, and means for operating said valve including a chamber having downwardly inclined end walls, an armature mounted therein having substantially parallel top and bottom members,a non-mag netic rocker whose'length is greater than the minimum distance between said walls andmounted between said top and bottom members, a rolling member mo-untedbetween the I rockerand said lower member of the armature,--andan electro-magnet located above the armature. v v I 1' g 4. In a gas valve, a port, a valve controlling the same, and means for operating said valve including a chamber having downwardly inclined end walls, an armature mounted therein having substantially par? allel top and'bottom'members, a non-magnetic rocker whose length is greater than the minimum distance between said walls and less than the maximum distance mounted between said top and bottom members, a ball mounted between the rocker and said lower member of the armature, and an electro-magnet located above the armature.

5. In a gas valve, a pair of ports, valves for controlling said ports, and means for operating said valves inalternation including an armature, a non-magnetic rockersituated within said armature, a rolling member situated beneath said rocker and above a portion of said armature, and an electromagnet situated above said armature.

6. In a gas valve, an electro-magnet, a'tilting armature mounted below said magnet,

said armature having substantially parallel top and bottom members, a non-magnetic rocker situated between said members,a rolling member beneath said rocker and above said lower member, and a pair of valves, one of said valves having a stem adapted to be mounted above one end of said armature andthe other valve having a stem mounted above the opposite end of said armature.

'7. In a gas valve, an electro-magnet, a tilting armature mounted below said magnet, said armature being formed of a channel with substantially parallel legs, a non-magnetic rockenfreely mounted between said legs, a rolling body mounted between said rocker and the lower leg of said channel, a gas valve, and means for actuating said valve from said armature.

8. In a gas valve, an electro-magnet, a chamber below said magnet having downwardly inclined end walls, an armature within said chamber having substantially parallel top and bottom members, a nonmagnetic rocker whose length is greater than the minimum distance between said walls and less than the maximum distance, said rocker being mounted between said members, a rolling body mounted below said rocker and above said bottom member and capable of free movement longitudinally with respect to said rocker, and a plurality of gas valves adapted to be operated in alternation by the tilting of said armature.

9. In a gas valve, a valve-controlled main inlet, a valve-controlled auxiliary outlet, a main outlet, and means for controlling said valves comprising an armature forming a cage, a non-magnetic rocker located in said cage, a rolling member disposed between the lower side of said cage and said rocker, and an electro-magnet having pole pieces disposed above said armature.

10. In a gas valve, a valve-controlled main inlet, a valve-controlled auxiliary outlet, a main. outlet, and means for controlling said valves comprising anrarmature, a pair of relatively fixed inclined members adjacent to the ends of said armature, a non-magnetic rocker enga ing said armature and being longer than the minimum distance between said inclined members and shorter than the 1 maximum distance between them, a rolling member beneath said rocker and engaging a runway on said armature, and an electromagnet situated above said armature.

11. In a gas valve, a valve-controlled main inlet, a valve-controlled auxiliary outlet, a main outlet, and means for controlling said valves comprising an armature, a rocker adapted to engage with said main and auxiliary valves in alternation, when in raised position, and an electro-magnet mounted above said armature.

12. In a gas valve, an electro-magnet, an armature mounted below said magnet and having substantially parallel top and bottom members, a non-magnetic rocker situated between said members, a rolling body below said rocker and above said lower member, a valve adapted to be operated by the tilting of said armature, and means for manually operating said armature including a plunger mounted centrally below the same.

13. In a gas valve, an electro-magnet, an armature mounted below said magnet and having substantially parallel top and bottom members, a non-magnetic rocker situated between said members, a rolling body below said rocker and above said lower member, a valve adapted to be operated by the tilting of said armature, and means for manually operating said armature including a plunger mounted centrally beneath said armature, a guide for said plunger having a curved face adjacent to the guide wall, a rod engaging said plunger, a ball on said rod, and a spring-controlled collar on said rod for forcing said ball against said curved face.

Signed at London this seventeenth day of January 1914-.

THOMAS PEROIVAL SHILSTON.

In the presence of THOMAS E. ROBERTSON, HERBERT D. JAMESON.

Copies of this patent may 'be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. Q 

